The system is effectively a closed loop returning the inert residues by underground pipeline to sealed underground brine cavities

The system is effectively a closed loop, returning the inert residues by underground pipeline to sealed underground brine cavities that are owned and operated by British Salt. From Ms Nicola Smith Sir: Following Denis MacShane's letter (24 February), we would like to add our support to concerns that the new landfill tax has the potential to penalise environmentally conscientious companies. Our subsidiary British Salt has invested hundreds of thousand of pounds in a brine residue disposal system which is non-polluting and does not damage the environment in any way. In the first place Imran Khan, even though he is one of our national heroes, has yet to demonstrate his political popularity. He is untested politically and has not even fought an election for a local body.As for Imran's assertion that his fund-raising campaign is banned on Pakistan television, it should be made clear that this is a commercial organisation that does not run free advertisements.Yours faithfully,Samina ParvezPress AttacheHigh Commission for PakistanLondon, SW1. From Mr Samina Parvez Sir: Tim McGirk ("Diana flies in to battle royal in Pakistan", 22 February) reports on rumours and speculations that are currently being voiced by the opposition in Pakistan. It is ludicrous to label Imran Khan as an arch enemy of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

British equipment with war-making capability ends up in the hands of Saddam Hussein. A prosecution everyone agrees ought not to have been pursued goes ahead. An 1,800-page report allows everyone to claim they have been vindicated. And in the entire maze of corridors of power not a solitary voice, from government or civil service, accepts accountability. The buck, like the dove in Noah's flood is still looking for a resting place As a voter I feel angry and powerless. Until the next election.Yours sincerelyRon Owen,Winchester, Hampshire.

From Mr Ron Owen Sir: Ministers deliberately mislead Parliament Secrecy orders that put innocent men at risk are signed. On the contrary, Hamas has held large demonstrations calling for revenge and murder.Yours faithfully,Maurice HermanIlford, Essex. While many similar peace rallies have taken place in Israel, including the one where Yitzhak Rabin lost his life, no such peace rallies or demonstrations have been held by the Palestinians in Gaza or the West Bank. Gorge Joffe's article (26 February) on the parallels between IRA and Hamas violence was particularly interesting but it is important to bear in mind that we are dealing with two very different situations. To illustrate my point, it should be noted that on the same day that the terrible act of terror was perpetuated against the people of Jerusalem, tens of thousands of ordinary Irish men and women marched through the streets calling for peace. From Mr Maurice Herman Sir: As an Israeli here in London on a family visit, I read with both grief and interest your reports and comments on this week's tragic events in Israel, where so many innocent people lost their lives. Incidentally, is it true that the phrase "Joan Collins" has already gone into Cockney slang?Dr Vernon Monicker writes: Meaning what?Well, to sell someone a Joan Collins is, supposedly, to get a lot of money for something worth nothing.Dr Vernon Monicker writes: My lawyers have advised me not to answer that question Keep those queries rolling in!.

Name one.Dr Vernon Monicker writes: Martello.Name another.Dr Vernon Monicker writes: Marconi.Any more?Dr Vernon Monicker writes: Macchiavelli Maserati, Macaroni ...OK, OK. This included a lot of Scots, of course, but an equally large number of Italians.I don't believe it. The fact is that in the old days immigrant workers were divided into two groups for ease of administration, names beginning with A-L, and names beginning M-Z. This meant that those with names beginning "Ma ..." got in much qicker and had an enormous advantage.

Is there something intrinsically talented about the Scots when it comes to inventions?Dr Vernon Monicker writes: No, not at all. A perfectly honourable trade, but felt to be embarrassing to the English in Victorian times, who changed it to Selby-Date.Why have so many inventions been named after Scots? I'm thinking of the macintosh, and macadam and so on Even McDonald's has become generic for a hamburger. It comes from "Sell-Bidet", the name given to a bidet-seller. Now, of course, it looks faintly comic, as if we were called Bar-Code or something, so I would like to know what the true origin of this name is.Dr Vernon Monicker writes: This is another of these occupational origins.